New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Dueada`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Dueada` characterized by its red purple flowers; floriferousness; compact growth habit; freely branching plant habit; and dark green and glossy non-variegated foliage.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens hawkeri, named `Dueada`. It is anticipated that the plant of this application will be marketed under the Trademark "HWD Adagio". Accordingly, the plant of this application may be referred to as "HWD Adagio" `Dueada` in the market place.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Rheinberg, Germany. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new red purple-flowered variety that was freely branching and compact in growth habit.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor of the cultivar `Tahiti` (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,601) as the male or pollen parent with the proprietary selection numbered 89-10-4 as the female or seed parent.

The cultivar `Dueada` was discovered and selected by the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Rheinberg, Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken at Rheinberg, Germany, has shown that the unique features of this new Impatiens are stabilized and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Dueada`. These characteristics in combination distinguish `Dueada` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Red purple flowers.

2. Numerous flowers per plant.

3. Compact growth habit.

4. Freely branching plant habit.

5. Dark green and glossy non-variegated foliage.

In comparison to plants of the parent cultivar `Tahiti`, plants of the new Impatiens have a more compact growth habit. Additionally, plants of the new Impatiens have red purple flowers whereas plants of the cultivar Tahiti have light pink flowers. Compared to plants of the parent proprietary selection numbered 89-10-4, plants of the new Impatiens flower earlier. Additionally plants of the new Impatiens have red purple flowers whereas plants of the proprietary selection numbered 89-10-4 have blue purple flowers.

The new Impatiens can also be compared to the cultivar `Papete` (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,457). Plants of the new Impatiens are more freely branching, flower later, and have a slightly deeper purple flower color than plants of the cultivar `Papete`.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance of the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph comprises a top perspective view of a typical potted plant of `Dueada` with one plant in a 15-cm container.

The flower color in the photograph appears more red than the actual flower color due to light reflectance.

The cultivar `Dueada` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plants grown in Rheinberg, Germany, under commercial practice in a glass-covered greenhouse with day temperatures of 28° C. and night temperatures of 20° to 22° C. and light levels of 30,000 to 40,000 lux.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Classification:

Botanical.--Impatiens hawkeri.

Commercial.--New Guinea Impatiens.

Cultivar.--`Dueada`.

Parentage:

Male parent.--Cultivar `Tahiti` (disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,601).

Female parent.--Proprietary selection numbered 89-10-4.

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--Summer, 27C: About 21 days. Winter, 20C: About 28 days.

Plant description:

General appearance.--Rounded; dense; very freely branching and compact growth habit; upright and spreading; moderate growth rate; suitable for 10 to 16-cm pots.

Plant height.--About 18 cm from soil level to top of plant plane.

Foliage description.--Shape: Elliptic with acuminate tip and attenuate base. Size: Length: 6.5 to 8.5 cm. Width: 3 to 3.5 cm. Texture: Smooth, glossy, and glabrous. Margin: Finely serrated, ciliate. Petiole length: 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Color: Young foliage, upper surface: Darker than 137A. Young foliage, under surface: 147B. Mature foliage, upper surface: Darker than 137A. Mature foliage, under surface: 147B. Veins, upper surface: Midvein, 147C, at base becoming darker, 147B, towards leaf tip. Veins, under surface: Midvein purple, 183B, laterals, 146A. Petiole: Appear almost translucent, purplish, 185C/183B.

Stem description.--Internode length: About 6 cm. Stem color: More mature stems, green, 146B. Younger stems are purple, 187A.

Flower description:

Flowering habit.--Freely flowering.

Natural flowering season.--Year-round. Under summer conditions, plants flower 6 to 7 weeks after planting; under winter conditions, plants flower 9 to 11 weeks after planting.

Flowers borne.--Flower buds develop in apical leaf axils. Open flowers are displayed above the foliage.

Quantity of inflorescences.--Very floriferous; usually about 10 buds and flowers per axil; usually more than 35 open flowers per plant open at one time.

Flower longevity on plant.--From opening, flowers will last 7 to 10 days.

Flower diameter.--About 5.5 cm.

Flower depth (height).--1.5 to 2 cm.

Petals.--Shape: Cordate. Quantity, arrangement: 5 petals overlapping. Aspect: Flat. Size: Length: 2 to 3 cm. Width: 2 to 3.4 cm. Texture: Smooth, satiny, and glabrous. Margin: Entire. Color: When opening: 72C. Upper surface: Iridescent. Brighter than 71C with small red, 46B, eye. Under surface: 72C.

Peduncle.--Angle: Erect. Length: About 4 cm. Color: 185A.

Flower bud.--Shape: Ovoid with spur. Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.8 to 1 cm. Color: Proximal, 72C, distal, 145C/144B.

Spur.--Shape: Needle-shaped, curved at end.

Sepals.--Arrangement: Opposite. Quantity: 2.Size: Length: About 1 cm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape: Ensiform with acuminate tip. Texture: Smooth and glabrous. Margin: Entire. Color: Upper side: Proximal, 66C, distal, 144A. Under side: Proximal, 66C, distal, 144A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number: 5. Anther color: 66C. Pollen color: 11D. Gynoecium: Pistil length: 2 to 3 mm. Stigma color: 145C. Ovary color: 146A.

Disease resistance:--No fungal, bacterial nor vital problems observed.

Seed development:--Seed production is very rarely observed. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named `Dueada`, as illustrated and described. 